NATIONAL FORAGE TESTING ASSOCIATION

BRIEF HISTORY

The National Forage Testing Association (NFTA) was founded in
1984 as a joint effort of the American Forage and Grassland Council,
the National Hay Association and forage testing laboratories in
a concentrated effort to improve the accuracy of forage testing
and build grower confidence in testing animal feeds.

NFTA is governed by a 12-member Board of Directors. Six directors
represent laboratories, three represent the National Hay Association,
and three represent the American Forage and Grassland Council.

Each year the NFTA Board updates the certification program. New
methods of grading laboratory performance have been introduced
since NFTA was formed. Today, laboratories are evaluated six times
a year. Performance grades are provided to laboratories to allow
them to better evaluate their testing procedures and methods.

Recently, NFTA has held annual workshops in conjunction with the
annual AOAC International Midwest Meetings. These workshops offer
participants an excellent chance to hear the latest research and
developments in forage testing methods.